Thu Feb 20 15:43:59 UTC 2025: ## Tamil Nadu to Add 5,000 More Buses to State Fleet
**Madurai, Tamil Nadu –** Tamil Nadu’s Transport Minister, S.S. Sivasankar, announced Thursday that the state will acquire an additional 5,000 buses to supplement the 3,000 already launched as part of an 8,000-bus expansion plan. The minister made the announcement following a regional review meeting in Madurai focusing on the state’s public transportation system.
The meeting also addressed the comprehensive scheme and fare revision for minibuses, a program originally initiated under former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi. Currently serving 2,870 routes, the minibus network is slated to expand by 1,810 more routes, with 1,255 already officially gazetted. The full implementation of this expansion is expected by May. The ministry is currently accepting applications for minibus operations and soliciting suggestions for new routes.
Addressing concerns about the condition of existing government buses, Minister Sivasankar stated that new buses undergo rigorous quality checks before deployment and older vehicles will be phased out as the new fleet arrives. He further confirmed that steps are underway to permanently appoint staff, and that ₹550 crore (approximately $67 million USD) has been allocated to settle outstanding benefits for retired employees, which will be distributed in phases.
The review meeting was attended by Transport Commissioner Shunchonngam Jatak Chiru, Madurai Collector M.S. Sangeetha, and zonal and regional transport officers.
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